Mobile x-ray scan speed control

Abstract

A conveyance and methods for x-ray inspection of an object. The conveyance has a bed with attached wheels and detector elements disposed along a pontine structure coupled to the conveyance. A source of penetrating radiation is coupled to the conveyance and disposed so as to irradiate each of the detector elements from a single position. An automated manual transmission couples power from an engine to a set of the wheels of the conveyance, both for road travel and for x-ray inspection.

I claim: 
     
       1. A conveyance for X-ray inspection of an object, the conveyance comprising:
 a bed having a longitudinal axis parallel to a direction of motion; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the bed; 
 a plurality of detector elements disposed along a pontine structure coupled to the conveyance; 
 a source of penetrating radiation coupled to the conveyance and disposed so as to irradiate each of the detector elements from a single position; and 
 an automated manual transmission for coupling power from an engine to a set of the plurality of wheels both for road travel and for X-ray inspection operations. 
 
     
     
       2. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance is adapted for operation under autonomous control. 
     
     
       3. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the pontine structure is adapted for deployment during inspection operation. 
     
     
       4. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the automated manual transmission includes a dual-clutch transmission. 
     
     
       5. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a rear axle differential adapted to provide motion of the conveyance at a specified velocity. 
     
     
       6. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance weighs less than 15 tons. 
     
     
       7. A method for inspecting an object, the method comprising:
 irradiating, from a single position on a bed of a conveyance, the conveyance having a plurality of wheels, each of a plurality of detector elements disposed along a pontine structure coupled to the conveyance; and 
 coupling power via an automated manual transmission to a set of the plurality of wheels of the conveyance for road travel and for X-ray inspection operations. 
 
     
     
       8. The method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein coupling power via the automated manual transmission includes coupling power to the set of the plurality of wheels via a dual-clutch transmission. 
     
     
       9. The method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein coupling power via the automated manual transmission includes coupling power to the set of the plurality of wheels via a rear axle differential adapted to provide motion of the conveyance at a specified velocity. 
     
     
       10. The method in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising deploying the pontine structure from the conveyance for inspection operations. 
     
     
       11. A conveyance for X-ray inspection of an object, the conveyance comprising:
 a bed having a longitudinal axis parallel to a direction of motion; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the bed; 
 a plurality of detector elements disposed along a U-shaped structure coupled to the conveyance; 
 a source of penetrating radiation coupled to the conveyance and disposed so as to irradiate each of the detector elements from a single position; and 
 a transmission configured to perform a clutch operation that engages a succession of gears without an intervention by a driver, wherein the transmission is adapted to couple power from an engine to a set of the plurality of wheels both for road travel and for X-ray inspection operations. 
 
     
     
       12. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the conveyance is adapted for operation under autonomous control. 
     
     
       13. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the U-shaped structure is adapted for deployment during inspection operation. 
     
     
       14. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the transmission includes a dual-clutch transmission. 
     
     
       15. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising a rear axle differential adapted to provide motion of the conveyance at a specified velocity. 
     
     
       16. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the conveyance weighs less than 15 tons. 
     
     
       17. A method for inspecting an object, the method comprising:
 irradiating, from a single position on a bed of a conveyance, the conveyance having a plurality of wheels, each of a plurality of detector elements disposed along a U-shaped structure coupled to the conveyance; and 
 coupling power via a transmission configured to perform a clutch operation that engages a succession of gears without an intervention by a driver to at least some of the plurality of wheels of the conveyance for road travel and for X-ray inspection operations. 
 
     
     
       18. The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein coupling power via the transmission includes coupling power to the set of the plurality of wheels via a dual-clutch transmission. 
     
     
       19. The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein coupling power via the transmission includes coupling power to the set of the plurality of wheels via a rear axle differential adapted to provide motion of the conveyance at a specified velocity. 
     
     
       20. The method in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising deploying the U-shaped structure from the conveyance for inspection operations. 
     
     
       21. A conveyance for X-ray inspection of an object, the conveyance comprising:
 a bed having a longitudinal axis parallel to a direction of motion; 
 a plurality of wheels coupled to the bed; 
 a plurality of detector elements disposed along a bridge shaped structure coupled to the conveyance; 
 a source of penetrating radiation coupled to the conveyance and disposed so as to irradiate each of the detector elements from a single position; and 
 a transmission configured to perform a clutch operation that engages a succession of gears without an intervention by a driver, wherein the transmission is adapted to couple power from an engine to a set of the plurality of wheels both for road travel and for X-ray inspection operations. 
 
     
     
       22. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the conveyance is adapted for operation under autonomous control. 
     
     
       23. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the bridge shaped structure is adapted for deployment during inspection operation. 
     
     
       24. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the transmission includes a dual-clutch transmission. 
     
     
       25. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 21 , further comprising a rear axle differential adapted to provide motion of the conveyance at a specified velocity. 
     
     
       26. The conveyance in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the conveyance weighs less than 15 tons. 
     
     
       27. A method for inspecting an object, the method comprising:
 irradiating, from a single position on a bed of a conveyance, the conveyance having a plurality of wheels, each of a plurality of detector elements disposed along a bridge shaped structure coupled to the conveyance; and 
 coupling power via a transmission configured to perform a clutch operation that engages a succession of gears without an intervention by a driver to at least some of the plurality of wheels of the conveyance for road travel and for X-ray inspection operations. 
 
     
     
       28. The method in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein coupling power via the transmission includes coupling power to the set of the plurality of wheels via a dual-clutch transmission. 
     
     
       29. The method in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein coupling power via the transmission includes coupling power to the set of the plurality of wheels via a rear axle differential adapted to provide motion of the conveyance at a specified velocity. 
     
     
       30. The method in accordance with  claim 27 , further comprising deploying the bridge shaped structure from the conveyance for inspection operations.